Product and package including power producer and output mechanism, and related method

ABSTRACT

A product including a package is provided. One or more tobacco-containing articles may be received in the package. A power producer may be configured to produce an electrical current. An output mechanism may be configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. The perceptible effect may, for example, increase a consumer&#39;s interest in the product. A related method is also provided.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to products and packages including outputmechanisms and power producers, and a related method. The products,packages, and methods may be employed in conjunction with articles madeor derived from tobacco, or that otherwise incorporate tobacco.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the packaging industry, packages may be provided with certainfeatures designed and configured to capture a consumer's attention. Forexample, packages may be shaped or colored in manners that areaesthetically appealing. Thereby, these features may encourage sale ofthe products including such packaging.

However, in light of increasing competition to gain a consumer'sattention, many products may include such pleasing aesthetic attributes,thereby lessening competitive advantages provided thereby. Accordingly,it may be desirable to provide packages with enhanced functionality inorder to further appeal to a consumer's interest.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides packages configured to output aperceptible effect and related systems, methods and products. In oneaspect a product is provided. The product may include a package. Thepackage may include a power producer configured to produce an electricalcurrent and an output mechanism configured to receive the electricalcurrent from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. Theproduct may further include one or more tobacco-containing articlesreceived in the package.

In some embodiments the package may additionally include a first bodyportion defining an opening and a second body portion moveable withrespect to the first body portion between a closed configuration inwhich the first body portion substantially closes the opening and anopen configuration. The one or more tobacco-containing articles may bereceived in the first body portion and accessible via the opening in theopen configuration. The output mechanism may be configured to output theperceptible effect in response to movement of the second body portionrelative to the first body portion. The power producer may include aplurality of films. Movement between the films may produce theelectrical current.

In some embodiments the power producer may include an inductive coil.The output mechanism may include a light emitting diode. The lightemitting diode may be included in a rectifier circuit configured toconvert the electric current from an alternating current to a directcurrent. The package may additionally include a communicatorelectrically coupled to the inductive coil. The communicator may beconfigured to communicate with an auxiliary electronic device. Thepackage may further include an inner wrapper substantially surroundingthe one or more tobacco-containing articles. The inner wrapper mayinclude a paper material.

In some embodiments the output mechanism may be selected from a groupconsisting of a light emitting diode, an electronic ink, a liquidcrystal display, an electroluminescent material, a light emittingelectrochemical cell, and an electrochromic display. The package mayinclude a logo, and the output mechanism may be positioned at the logo.The output mechanism may include an electrochromic display. Theelectrochromic display may be configured to change color or shade in apattern.

In an additional aspect a method for assembling a product is provided.The method may include providing a package. The package may include apower producer configured to produce an electrical current and an outputmechanism configured to receive the electrical current from the powerproducer and output a perceptible effect. The method may additionallyinclude inserting one or more tobacco-containing articles into thepackage.

In some embodiments providing the package may include providing a firstbody portion defining an opening and a second body portion moveable withrespect to the first body portion between a closed configuration inwhich the first body portion substantially closes the opening and anopen configuration. Inserting one or more tobacco-containing articlesinto the package may include inserting the one or moretobacco-containing articles into the first body portion.

In some embodiments the power producer may include an inductive coil.The output mechanism may include a light emitting diode. The lightemitting diode may be included in a rectifier circuit configured toconvert the electric current from an alternating current to a directcurrent. Providing the package may include electrically coupling acommunicator to the inductive coil. The communicator may be configuredto communicate with an auxiliary electronic device. Further, the methodmay include wrapping the one or more tobacco-containing articles with aninner wrapper. The inner wrapper may include a paper material.

In some embodiments the power producer may include a plurality of films.Movement between the films may produce the electrical current. Theoutput mechanism may include a light emitting diode, an electronic ink,a liquid crystal display, or an electrochromic display. The package mayinclude a logo and the output mechanism may be positioned at the logo.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbe apparent from a reading of the following detailed descriptiontogether with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly describedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference willnow be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarilydrawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a product including a package andone or more articles, the package including a control circuit comprisinga power supply and an output mechanism according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of the product of FIG. 1 wherein theoutput mechanism is positioned at an eye of a logo according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the product of FIG. 1 wherein theoutput mechanism is positioned at a background of a logo according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a sectional view through the product ofFIG. 1, wherein the output mechanism is configured to output a visibleperceptible effect according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the control circuit of FIG. 1 includingan inductive coil, the output mechanism, and a rectifier circuitaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an auxiliary electronic device according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates the control circuit of FIG. 4 further comprising acommunicator and a controller according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the control circuit of FIG. 1 includingan inductive coil, the output mechanism, and a rectifier circuit,wherein the output mechanism is included in the rectifier circuitaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates the control circuit of FIG. 7 further comprising acommunicator according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a sectional view through the product ofFIG. 1 wherein the power supply comprises a plurality of films accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10A schematically illustrates a control circuit including theplurality of films of FIG. 9 when the films are being brought intocontact according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B schematically illustrates the control circuit of FIG. 10A whenthe films are being separated according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10C schematically illustrates the films of FIG. 9 wherein the filmsfurther include a charged layer according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a method for assembling a productaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to certain preferred aspects. These aspects are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed,the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, theseaspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Various products are sold in retail establishments. Such stores oftencarry a wide variety of types and brands of products. Thereby, productpackaging may play an important role in dictating sales of the productsassociated therewith.

In this regard, by way of example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/274,245, filed May 9, 2014, and Ser. No. 14/700,636, filed Apr. 30,2015, both to Stebbins et al. and each incorporated herein by referencein their entireties, disclose convertible packaging devices which may beemployed to house one or more products during shipment, and display theproducts at a retail store upon conversion of the devices to a displayconfiguration at the retail store. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,320 toCoatney et al. discloses promotional packaging configured to hold firstand second tobacco products, which may differ from one another, in firstand second compartments, and is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

However, various other mechanisms and methods for packaging products maybe desirable. In this regard, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded, partialcutaway view of a product 100 according to an example embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As illustrated, the product 100 may include apackage 102. The package 102 may include a first body portion 104 and asecond body portion 106. The first body portion 104 may define anopening 108. The second body portion 106 may be moveable with respect tothe first body portion 104 between a closed configuration in which thefirst body portion substantially closes the opening 108 and an openconfiguration. The open configuration of the package 102 is illustratedin FIG. 1. The closed configuration of the package 102 is illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the first body portion 104 may beconfigured to receive one or more articles 110. The articles 110 may beaccessible from the first body portion 104 via the opening 108 in theopen configuration. Conversely, the articles 110 may be substantiallyinaccessible when the package 102 is in the closed configuration.

In one embodiment the first body portion 104 may be configured toreceive one or more tobacco-containing articles. For example, in theillustrated embodiment the articles 110 comprise cigarettes 112. In thisregard, the package 102 may comprise a cigarette hard pack. The package102 may include an inner frame 114 that provides the package 102 withadditional support. Further, the cigarettes 112 may be received withinan inner wrapper 116, which may be substantially air-tight in order tomaintain freshness of the cigarettes. Additional description regardingexample embodiments of packages for cigarettes is provided in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/205,818 to Wood et al., filed Mar. 12,2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The package 102 may be formed from various materials. In someembodiments all or a portion of the package 102 (e.g., the first bodyportion 104, the second body portion 106, and/or the inner frame 114 maybe formed from a paper material (e.g., paper or paperboard). However, asmay be understood, various other materials may be employed in otherembodiments.

However, as may be understood, the apparatuses and methods disclosedherein are equally applicable to other embodiments of the packageconfigured to receive other embodiments of articles, such as otherembodiments of packages configured to receive tobacco-containingarticles. For example, the tobacco-containing articles may include aso-called electronic cigarette (i.e., an “e-cigarette” or “e-cig”), acontrol body or cartridge for an electronic cigarette, or a smokelesstobacco product such as snus or snuff. Further, as may be understood,the particular shape of the package 102 may be configured based on thearticles received therein (e.g., as a tin, puck, container, box, bubblepackage, etc., depending on the articles received therein). Accordingly,it should be understood that the product 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 isprovided for example purposes only.

The package 102 may further include a control circuit 118. The controlcircuit 118 may include one or more components configured to performvarious functions as described hereinafter. In one embodiment thecontrol circuit 118 may include a power supply 120 configured to producean electrical current. Various embodiments of the power supply 120 aredescribed hereinafter.

Additionally, the control circuit 118 may include an output mechanism122. The output mechanism 122 may be configured to receive theelectrical current from the power supply 120 and output a perceptibleeffect. Various embodiments of the output mechanism 122 may be includedin the control circuit 118. For example, the output mechanism 122 mayinclude a light emitter configured to output light, a sound emitterconfigured to output sound, a display configured to output graphicsand/or text, a scent emitter configured to output a smell, and anactuator configured to output motion. In a preferred embodiment theoutput mechanism 122 may be selected from a group consisting of a lightemitting diode, an electronic ink, a liquid crystal display, anelectroluminescent material (EL), a light emitting electrochemical cell(LEC), and an electrochromic display.

In embodiments of the output mechanism 122 comprising a light emitterthe output mechanism may comprise a light emitting diode (LED), ormultiple LEDs. In this regard, LEDs may define a relatively high lightoutput to power usage ratio. Further, LEDs may define relatively smallsizes such that the LED may be relatively easily received in in theproduct 100. In some embodiments the LEDs may comprise an organic LED(OLED) such as a polymer OLED (P-OLED). However, in other embodiments ofthe output mechanism 122 the light emitter may comprise an incandescentbulb, a compact fluorescent light (CFL), a halogen bulb, or any otherembodiment of light emitter.

In other embodiments in which the output mechanism 122 comprises adisplay, the output mechanism may comprise a liquid-crystal display(LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a light emitting diode display,an electroluminescent display (ELD), electronic paper, electronic ink orphotonic ink (e.g., electronic ink configured to display two or morecolors), a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), ahigh-performance addressing display (HPA), a thin-film transistordisplay (TFT), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), asurface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), a laser television, acarbon nanotube display, a quantum dot display, or an interferometricmodulator display (IMOD), or similar materials and constructs orcombinations thereof. Regardless of the particular embodiment of thedisplay employed, the display may output one or more of a graphic, atext, a character, an animation, and a video. Video and animation may beemployed to attract consumer attention due to the perceived motionassociated therewith. Further, the display may be configured to output asingle color, or multiple colors. As may be understood, outputtingmultiple colors may further attract consumer attention.

Example embodiments of flexible bi-stable two color LCDs are availablefrom Kent Displays of Kent, Ohio. Example embodiments of electrochromicdisplays are available from Ynvisible of Cartaxo, Portugal. Exampleembodiments of electronic ink are available from Opalux, Inc. ofToronto, Canada. One embodiment of electronic ink referred to as activeink may employ photonic crystals made out of silica beads embedded in aresilient electroactive polymer and sandwiched between transparentelectrodes. When a voltage is applied, an electrolyte fluid is drawninto the polymer composite, causing the polymer composite to swell,which alters the spacing of the photonic crystals, affecting whichwavelengths of light the photonic crystals reflect. Thereby, thereflected light may form graphics and/or text in one or more colors.

Embodiments of the output mechanism 122 comprising sound emitters mayinclude one or more speakers (e.g., electroacoustic transducers),buzzers, electric bells, chimes, etc. Thereby, the audible output mayinclude one or more of music, speech, buzzing, ringing, etc. In someembodiments of the output mechanism 122 the sound emitter may outputinformation regarding the product 100.

Embodiments of the output mechanism 122 comprising scent emitters may beconfigured to output a scent via one of various mechanisms. For example,the scent emitter may be configured to release a pressurized scentedfluid to the surrounding atmosphere via an electromechanical valve. Byway of further example, a fan may blow air through or past a scentedmedium to deliver a scent to the surrounding atmosphere. In anotherembodiment the scent emitter may comprise a heater (e.g., a resistanceheater) configured to heat a scented medium to vaporize or otherwiserelease the scent to the surrounding atmosphere. In one embodiment thescent may be configured to mimic a scent of the one or more articles110. In this regard, the package 102 may be substantially sealed or mayotherwise prevent the scent associated with the one or more articles 110from entering the surrounding atmosphere. Thereby, the output mechanism122 may instead output the scent of the articles 110 (e.g., tobacco), toprovide consumers with a sense of the smell or flavor (e.g., menthol orvanilla) associated therewith.

Embodiments of the output mechanism 122 comprising actuators configuredto output motion may include solenoids, electric motors (e.g., rotary orlinear), and vibratory mechanisms (e.g., comprising a rotary motor andan eccentric mass). Accordingly, the actuator may cause physical motionof the product 100 as a whole or a portion thereof. Physical motion maybe employed for the same reason animation and video may be employed in adisplay, as described above. In this regard, motion may be readilynoticed and perceived by a consumer.

In the illustrated embodiment the control circuit 118 is coupled to thefirst body portion 104. However, in other embodiments the controlcircuit 118 may be coupled to the second body portion 106.Alternatively, part of the control circuit 118 (e.g., the power supply120 or the output mechanism 122) may be coupled to the first bodyportion 104 whereas another part of the control circuit (e.g., the otherof the power supply and the output mechanism) may be coupled to thesecond body portion 106. In other embodiments all or a portion of thecontrol circuit may be coupled to one or more other parts of the package102 (e.g., the inner frame 114).

In some embodiments some, or all, of the various circuits disclosedherein may be partially or fully printed on one or more portions of thepackage 102 such as the first body portion 104, the second body portion106, and/or the inner frame 114. Further, as noted above, in someembodiments one or more portions of the package 102 may comprise a papermaterial. The paper material may include a coating of nanocellulose tomake it substantially smooth. Thereby, printing of a circuit thereon maybe facilitated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in one embodiment the package 102 maycomprise a logo 124. The logo 124 may be printed on one or both of thefirst body portion 104 and the second body portion 106. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the logo 124 is printed on anouter front surface 126 of the first body portion 104. As noted above,in some embodiments the package 102 may include the output mechanism122. In this regard, in some embodiments the output mechanism 122 may bepositioned at the logo 124. More particularly, the output mechanism 122may be integrated into the design of the logo 124.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the output mechanism 122 may bepositioned at an eye portion of the logo 124. Thereby, in embodiments inwhich the output mechanism 122 is configured to output light, the logo124 may appear to wink or glow. In this embodiment the output mechanism122 may comprise, by way of example, an incandescent bulb, a halogenbulb, or a light emitting diode.

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the output mechanism122 may be positioned at a background portion of the logo 124. Further,the output mechanism 122 may be configured to change color or shade orproduce any other visible perceptible effect. In one embodiment theoutput mechanism 122 may change color or shade across the entire displaysurface thereof. However, in another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.2B, the output mechanism 122 may be configured to change color or shadeacross only a portion of the display area defined by the outputmechanism 122 at the exterior of the package 102. For example, theoutput mechanism 122 may change color or shade in a pattern (e.g., aseries of separated lines or segments), as illustrated in FIG. 2B.Output of a visible perceptible effect in a pattern may be morepronounced, with improved contrast, which may be more easily perceivedby a consumer. Further, in embodiments in which the output mechanism 122comprises an electrochromic display, output of a pattern, rather than auniform change across the entirety of the display area thereof, mayoccur relatively more rapidly. In this regard, switching times may berelatively slow for electrochromic displays.

Accordingly, the output mechanism 122 may output a perceptible effect todraw a consumer's attention to the package 102 and the product 100 as awhole. Further, in embodiments in which the output mechanism 122 ispositioned at the logo 124, the output mechanism may additionallyspecifically draw a consumer's attention to the logo.

Regardless of the type of output mechanism 122 employed and whether ornot the output mechanism is positioned at the logo 124, the outputmechanism may be coupled to (e.g., embedded in or positioned inside) thepackage 102. More generally, some or all of the control circuit 118 maybe coupled to (e.g., embedded in or positioned inside) the package 102.In this regard, FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a partial sectionalview through the package 102. As illustrated, in one embodiment some orall the control circuit 118 may be received between the first bodyportion 104 and the inner frame 114. Thereby, for example, the powersupply 120 and/or the output mechanism 122 may be substantially ortotally hidden from view.

However, as described herein and illustrated in FIG. 3, in someembodiments the output mechanism 122 may be configured to output avisible perceptible effect 128. In embodiments in which the outputmechanism 122 outputs the visible perceptible effect 128, the outputmechanism may be positioned such that at least a portion of the outputmechanism 122 extends to an outer surface of the package 102. Forexample, the output mechanism 122 may extend to the outer front surface126 of the first body portion 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.Thereby the perceptible effect 128 may be visible to consumers.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the package 102may additionally include an outer wrapper 130, which may surround thefirst body portion 104 and the second body portion 106. However, theouter wrapper 130 may be translucent or transparent such that theperceptible effect 128 is visible therethrough. For example, in someembodiments the outer wrapper may comprise a plastic film (e.g.,oriented polypropylene). Alternatively, the perceptible effect 128 maybe visible after removal of the outer wrapper 130.

Various embodiments of the power supply 120 may be employed to supplypower to the output mechanism 122. As a result of the product 100 beingpreferably configured as portable, it may be desirable to configure theproduct such that a wired connection to an external power supply (e.g.,an alternative current wall outlet) is not required. Thus, for example,in one embodiment the power supply may comprise a battery. The batterymay be replaceable, rechargeable, or configured to last a lifetime ofthe product 100. However, batteries may be relatively bulky,particularly in terms of a minimum thickness, which may require anundesirable redesign of the size or shape of the package to accommodatethe battery. Similarly, capacitors may suffer from similar sizingchallenges. Further, inclusion of specialized circuits configured tocontrol the output of current from the capacitor may be required, whichmay be cost prohibitive.

Accordingly, usage of other embodiments of the power supply 120 toprovide electrical current to the output mechanism 122 may be desirable.Thus, as described hereinafter, the power supply 120 may comprise apower producer. A power producer, as used herein, refers to anembodiment of the power supply 120 configured to produce, as opposed tostore or transmit, an electrical current. Thus, batteries, capacitors,and other current storage mechanisms are not by themselves considered tobe power producers within the meaning of a power producer as this termis used herein. Note, however, that in some embodiments the controlcircuit may include a battery, a capacitor, or other current storagemechanism in combination with a power producer. Thereby, the currentstored by the battery, capacitor, or other current storage mechanism maybe selectively outputted to the output mechanism when desired. Further,it should be understood that wired connections that transmit currenttherethrough to the product from an external power supply (e.g., a walloutlet or an adapter connected thereto) do not fall within thedefinition of a power producer, as used herein.

In each of the embodiments of the power supply 120 described below thepower supply comprises a power producer. Various embodiments of thepower producer may be employed. In one embodiment the power producer maybe configured to employ energy harvesting to produce electrical current.In this embodiment the power supply 120 may be configured to receive andconvert ambient energy into electrical current. The ambient energy maycome from electric or magnetic fields or radio waves from nearbyelectrical equipment, light, thermal energy (e.g., heat), or kineticenergy such as vibration or motion. An example of a device configured toperform ambient energy harvesting is the smart current sensor chipdeveloped by Dr. Or of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Energyharvesting is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,897,628 to Conley etal., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

In another embodiment the power supply 120 may comprise a light-to-powerconversion mechanism. The light-to-power conversion mechanism may beconfigured to receive light from a light source and output electricalcurrent. Thus, the light-to-power conversion mechanism may comprise aphotovoltaic cell. Various embodiments of light-to-power conversionmechanisms are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/725,725,filed May 29, 2015, to Rogers, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

However, additional components may be required for usage of thelight-to-power conversion mechanism in the product. For example, acurrent storage mechanism (e.g., a battery or a capacitor) may berequired to store and accumulate current produced by the light-to-powerconversion mechanism until sufficient current is available to activatethe output mechanism. Further, a switch may be required to release thecurrent from the energy storage device and activate the outputmechanism.

Additionally, the product 100 may spend a relatively large portion oftime indoors prior to sale and when in the possession of the consumerafter sale. Ambient light in indoor locations may be of relatively lowintensity, and the area of the light-to-power conversion mechanism maybe relatively small, particularly when included in products such ascigarette packs that are configured to be handheld. Thus, the amount ofpower produced by a light-to-power conversion mechanism may berelatively low. Thereby, the amount of time during which there issufficient current for the output mechanism 122 to output a perceptibleeffect in any given time period may be undesirably short.

Accordingly, usage of other embodiments of power producers may bedesirable. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of thecontrol circuit 118A wherein the power supply 120A comprises aninductive coil 132. The inductive coil 132 may be configured to produceelectrical current that powers the output mechanism 122. As furtherillustrated in FIG. 4, the control circuit 118 may additionally includea rectifier circuit 134A. The rectifier circuit 134A may be configuredto convert the electric current produced by the inductive coil from analternating current to a direct current.

In some embodiments the product 100 may be configured to operate inconjunction with an auxiliary electronic device. In this regard, FIG. 5illustrates an auxiliary electronic device 200 according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure. The auxiliary electronic device200 may comprise a smartphone, a cellphone, or a personal digitalassistant, or define any of various other form factors and/or beconfigured to perform various other functions. Regardless of theparticular embodiment selected, the auxiliary electronic device 200 mayinclude a power supply 218 and an inductive coil 232. The power supply218 may be configured to supply power to the inductive coil 232 toproduce a magnetic field that the inductive coil 132 of the power supply120 of the product 100 employs to produce the electrical current.

In particular, the inductive coil 132 of the product 100 and theinductive coil 232 of the auxiliary electronic device 200 may be placedin proximity to form an electrical transformer by, for example, bringingthe product and the auxiliary electronic device 200 into closeproximity. A change in current in the inductive coil 232 of theauxiliary electronic device 200, as provided by the power supply 218thereof, produces an alternating electromagnetic field that induces avoltage across the ends of the inductive coil 132 of the product 100.The induced voltage at the inductive coil 132 of the product 100 may beprovided as an alternating current. Thereby, the rectifier circuit 134Aof the product 100 may convert the electrical current to direct current.The direct current outputted from the rectifier circuit 134A may therebypower the output mechanism 122. In some embodiments resonant inductivecoupling may be employed to improve the allowed range between theauxiliary inductive coil 232 of the auxiliary electronic device 200 andthe inductive coil 132 of the product 100. Note that the auxiliaryelectronic device 200 may operate in conjunction with any of theembodiments of the product 100 described herein including the inductivecoil 132, and hence the operation thereof will not be described againhereinafter.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the control circuit 118B furthercomprising a communicator 136. The communicator 136 may be electricallycoupled to the inductive coil 132. For example, as illustrated in FIG.6, the communicator 136 may be configured to receive electrical currentfrom the rectifier circuit 134A, which receives electrical current fromthe inductive coil 132 as noted above.

The communicator 136 may be configured to transmit a signal to anauxiliary electronic device and/or receive a signal from an auxiliaryelectronic device. For example, the communicator 136 may be configuredto transmit a signal to, or receive a signal from, the above-describedauxiliary electronic device 200. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the auxiliaryelectronic device 200 may further comprise an auxiliary communicator 236configured to receive a signal from the communicator 136 and/or transmita signal thereto. In this regard, the inductive coils 132, 232 maydefine antennas.

Thereby, the product 100 may transmit data to or receive data from theauxiliary electronic device 200. In some embodiments the communicator136 of the product 100 and the communicator 236 of the auxiliaryelectronic device 200 may be configured to communicate via one or moreknown wireless communication standards, such as BLUETOOTH, or Wi-Fi. Inone embodiment the communicator 136 of the product 100 and thecommunicator 236 of the auxiliary electronic device 200 may beconfigured to communicate via the Near Field Communication (NFC)communication protocol. Such communications may typically occur atseparation distances between the product 100 and the auxiliaryelectronic device 200 of about ten centimeters (3.9 inches) or less. Inthis regard, inductive coupling as described above may occur overrelatively short distances. NFC circuits and related components (e.g.,inductive coils), including related printed circuits, are available fromPragmaticIC of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Such circuits may be producedvia thermal nanoimprint lithography or ultraviolet nanoimprintlithograpy in some embodiments.

Various types of data may be transmitted from the product 100 to theauxiliary electronic device 200. For example, data regarding usage ofthe product 100 may be transferred. By way of further example, the datatransferred may include the number of times the product 100 has beenopened, or the remaining and/or used number of articles 110 in thepackage 102, which may be determined by one or more sensors that may beincluded in the control circuit 118B.

Conversely, various types of data may be received by the product 100,which may be transmitted thereto by the auxiliary electronic device 200.For example, the auxiliary electronic device 200 may transmitinstructions for when and how to output the perceptible effect. By wayof further example, in embodiments of the product 100 in which theoutput mechanism 122 comprises a display, the data transmitted to theproduct may include a message for display by the output mechanism or thedata may change what is displayed in a sequence. In other embodimentsthe product 100 may transfer data to the auxiliary electronic device 200indicating that the product 100 has been opened or otherwise used. Theauxiliary electronic device 200 may then transfer this data to a serverwhich may include a database of sales information. The database may bepopulated to reflect a sale based on the data transferred from theproduct 100 and/or the server may verify the sale or determine that theproduct was removed from the supply chain without authorization. Basedon this determination, the server may transfer data to the auxiliaryelectronic device 200, which may then transfer data to the product 100,which may lock or unlock, or enable or disable certain features of theproduct. In one embodiment a message may be displayed indicating thatthe product 100 has been stolen when such a determination is made, or amessage could thank a user for the purchase when the server determinesthat the product was legitimately purchased. As may be understood,various other functions may be performed depending on whether or not theserver determines that the product was legitimately sold or not.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, in addition to or alternatively to thecommunicator 136, in some embodiments the control circuit 118B (or anyof the other control circuits disclosed herein) may comprise acontroller 137 (e.g., a circuit board). As may be understood, withoutthe controller 137, the output mechanism 122 may output the perceptibleeffect each time the inductive coil 132 outputs electrical current,which may occur each time the product 100 is in close proximity to theauxiliary electronic device 200 or other device including acorresponding inductive coil. Conversely, in embodiments of the product100 including the controller 137, the controller may be configured toselectively direct the electrical current produced by the power supplyto the output mechanism 122 to thereby selectively output theperceptible effect. In this regard, in some embodiments it may bepreferable to output the perceptible effect only in certain instances,rather than each time the inductive circuit outputs the electricalcurrent. Thus, in some embodiments the controller 137 may include acurrent storage mechanism (e.g., a battery or capacitor) and/or a switchor sensor (e.g., a proximity sensor or acceleration sensor) such thatthe controller may output the electrical current to the output mechanism122 to thereby output the perceptible effect only in one or morespecified circumstances, such as when a user shakes the product 100 orafter a specified interval of time during which the product has remainedstationary or unopened, to thereby encourage use. As may be understood,the controller 137 may be configured to selectively direct theelectrical current to the output mechanism 122 in various other mannersunder various other circumstances.

Note that in embodiments of the control circuit 118 including theinductive coil 132, the package 102 may be configured so as to reduceinterference and improve inductive coupling. In this regard, the innerwrapper 116 around the cigarettes 112 may typically comprise a metalfoil material. Such metal foil may interfere with the inductive couplingbetween the inductive coil 132 of the control circuit 118 and theauxiliary inductive coil 232 of the auxiliary electronic device 200.Accordingly, in some embodiments the package 102 may be formed fromnon-metallic materials. For example, the inner wrapper 116 may comprisea paper material with a barrier liner in order to preserve freshness ofthe cigarettes 112. For example, in some embodiments the paper materialmay include a coating of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to seal the papermaterial from moisture. Further, the coating of ALD may be combined witha flexible layer (e.g., a flexible polymer) to resist the formation ofcracks in the ALD coating. Further, in some embodiments the ALD coatingand the flexible layer may be provided at various other portions of thepackage 102 such as at the first body portion 104 and the second bodyportion 106 to provide moisture barrier properties and flexibility whichmay optionally be used in place of the outer wrapper 130.

In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 4 and 6, theoutput mechanism 122 may be separate from the rectifier circuit 134 andconfigured to receive electrical current therefrom. However, in anotherembodiment of the control circuit 118C, the output mechanism 122 may beincluded in the rectifier circuit 134B, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Inthis regard, the rectifier circuit 134B may comprise one or more diodesconfigured to convert the electric current produced by the inductivecoil 132 from an alternating current to a direct current. Further, insome embodiments the output mechanism 122 may comprise a light emittingdiode configured to output the visible perceptible effect 128 (see, FIG.3). Accordingly, in one embodiment in which the output mechanism 122comprises a light emitting diode, the output mechanism may output thevisible perceptible effect 128 and convert the electric current from analternating current to a direct current by taking the place of anotherdiode in the rectifier circuit 134B. Thus, in this embodiment the outputmechanism 122 may perform two differing functions and reduce thecomponent count of the control circuit 118, which may reduce the sizeand/or cost of the control circuit 118C.

As may be understood, in embodiments in which the output mechanism 122is included in the control circuit 118, various other components may beincluded in the control circuit 118 as described elsewhere herein. Thus,by way of example, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the controlcircuit 118D wherein the output mechanism 122 is included in therectifier circuit 134B and wherein the control circuit further comprisesthe communicator 136. In some embodiments the controller 137 may befurther included in the control circuit 118D in addition oralternatively to the communicator 136.

In some embodiments the power supply 120 may be configured to producethe electrical current in response to movement of the package 102. Inthis regard, FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a partial sectional viewthrough the package 102 including an embodiment of the power supply 120Baccording to an additional example embodiment of the present disclosure.In one embodiment the power supply 120B may comprise a static-electricnanogenerator (SENG). Example embodiments of SENGs are in development byDr. Wang at Georgia Institute of Technology and by Dr. Zhou at HuazhongUniversity of Science and Technology. In this embodiment the powersupply 120B may include a plurality of films 138, 140. The films mayinclude a first film 138 and a second film 140. The films 138, 140 maybe configured to contact and release from one another.

In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment the first film 138 iscoupled to the inner frame 114 and the second film 140 is coupled to thesecond body portion 106. As illustrated, when the second body portion106 is positioned with respect to the first body portion 104 in theclosed configuration, the first film 138 may contact the second film140. Conversely, as may be understood, when the second body portion 106is positioned with respect to the first body portion in the openconfiguration (see, e.g., FIG. 1), the first film 138 and the secondfilm may be out of contact with one another.

FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate an embodiment of the controlcircuit 118E including the power supply 120B of FIG. 9. As illustrated,the first film 138 may include a pad 138A and an electrode 138B.Similarly, the second film 140 may include a pad 140A and an electrode140B.

The films 138, 140 may define differing electronegativities. The pads138A, 140A may comprise paper, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), orpolyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly-methyl methacrylate (PPMA) orKAPTON film, polyethylene, polypropylene and their copolymers,polydimethyl siloxane based polymers, polylactic acid andpolyhydoxylakanoate, and regenerated cellulose polymers which may bechemically modified to charge in the manner described herein, or otherelectrically-insulating materials. The electrodes 138B, 140B maycomprise copper, silver, or carbon, or other electrically conductivematerials. In one particular example embodiment the first film 138 maycomprise PET and silver as the pad 138A and the electrode 138B,respectively. Further, in one example embodiment the second film 140 maycomprise PTFE and copper as the pad 140A and the electrode 140B,respectively.

A charge may be applied to one of the films 138, 140. For example,plasma may be employed to apply the charge to one of the films 138, 140.As illustrated in FIG. 10C, in one embodiment the second film 140′ mayfurther comprise a charged layer 140C, to which the charge is applied.The charged layer 140C may comprise one of the materials described abovewith respect to the films 138, 140.

FIG. 10A illustrates the films 138, 140 as they are brought into contactwith one another. This may occur as the second body portion 106 is movedwith respect to the first body portion 104 to the closed configuration(i.e., when the package 102 is closed). As the films 138, 140 arebrought into contact with one another, a potential builds at theinterface therebetween, at which contact between the electrode 138B ofthe first film 138 and the pad 140A of the second film 140 may occur. Insome embodiments this potential may be temporarily stored, whereas inother embodiments the potential may be outputted as electrical currentthat activates the output mechanism 122 as the package 102 is closed.

FIG. 10B illustrates the films 138, 140 as they are separated from oneanother. This may occur as the second body portion 106 is moved withrespect to the first body portion 104 to the open configuration (i.e.,when the package 102 is opened). As the films 138, 140 are separatedfrom one another, the potential is released as electrical current thatmay thereby power the output mechanism 122. Accordingly, in thisembodiment the output mechanism 122 may output the perceptible effecteach time the package 102 is opened.

Accordingly, as noted above, in some embodiments the output mechanismmay output the perceptible effect when the package is opened. This mayoccur as a result of the power supply producing the electric currentduring this movement by producing static electricity. Alternatively oradditionally, the control circuit may include a switch or sensor thatdetects the position of the second body portion with respect to thefirst body portion, and which directs power to the output mechanism whenthe second body portion reaches one or more selected positions withrespect to the first body portion. For example, the switch may directthe electrical current to the output mechanism when the second bodyportion is moved with respect to the first body portion to the closedconfiguration and/or the open configuration. Accordingly, for example,in some embodiments the output mechanism may be configured to output theperceptible effect in response to movement of the second body portionrelative to the first body portion from the closed configuration to theopen configuration, in order to encourage access or usage of thearticles included therein. As may be understood, in some embodiments thecontrol circuit 118E may further include the above-describedcommunicator 136 and/or the controller 137, which may performsubstantially the same functions as described above.

Although example embodiments of the power supply are described above, itshould be understood that various other types of power supplies may beemployed in the product. For example, in other embodiments the powersupply may comprise a magnetic power producer, which may include magnetsconfigured to produce electrical current in a coil when the magnetsseparate. For example, the magnets may be positioned substantially asdescribed above with respect to the films 138, 140. However, suchmagnetic power producers may only produce electrical current for a briefperiod of time, whereas a longer power generation period may bepreferable.

In an additional embodiment the power supply may comprise apiezoelectric power producer. However, piezoelectric devices may berelatively expensive and/or require a relatively large tap or other suchuser interaction to produce the electrical current required foroperation of the output mechanism.

In a further embodiment the power supply may comprise a triboelectricpower producer. Triboelectric power producers produce electrical currentfrom static electricity via rubbing of materials together in frictivecontact. Thus, for example, a triobelectric power producer may includefirst and second portions that are positioned substantially as describedabove with respect to the films 138, 140. Thereby, for example, thefirst and second portions of the triboelectric power producer may rubagainst one another during opening and closing of the package.

In another embodiment the power supply 120 may employ capacitivecoupling to produce the electrical current. In capacitive coupling,which may also be referred to as electrostatic induction, power istransmitted by electric fields between electrodes such as metal plates.The pair of electrodes form a capacitor, with the intervening spaceserving as the dielectric. Thereby, when electrical current is providedto the plate at an auxiliary electronic device as an alternatingcurrent, the oscillating electric field induces an alternating potentialon the plate at the product by electrostatic induction, which may beconverted to a direct current via usage of a rectifying circuit.

In other embodiments the power supply 120 may employ a far-field powertransmission mechanism. For example far-field energy transmissiontechniques may include microwave power transmission and laser powertransmission. Although these techniques may be employed to transmitelectrical power wirelessly, such techniques may require usage ofspecialized antennas and other mechanisms which may undesirably increasethe cost and/or size of the product.

In some embodiments the product 100 may be displayed in a productdisplay system as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/725,725, filed May 29, 2015, to Rogers, which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. Thereby, for example, the output mechanism122 may be activated while received in the product display in additionalto, or alternatively to, the other instances in which the outputmechanism is activated as described elsewhere herein.

A related method for assembling a product is also provided. Asillustrated in FIG. 11 the method may include providing a package atoperation 302. The package may include a power producer configured toproduce an electrical current and an output mechanism configured toreceive the electrical current from the power producer and output aperceptible effect. Further, the method may include inserting one ormore tobacco-containing articles into the package at operation 304.

In some embodiments providing the package at operation 302 may includeproviding a first body portion defining an opening and a second bodyportion moveable with respect to the first body portion between a closedconfiguration in which the first body portion substantially closes theopening and an open configuration. Inserting one or moretobacco-containing articles into the package at operation 304 mayinclude inserting the one or more tobacco-containing articles into thefirst body portion.

In some embodiments the power producer may comprise an inductive coil.The output mechanism may include a light emitting diode. The lightemitting diode may be included in a rectifier circuit configured toconvert the electric current from an alternating current to a directcurrent. Providing the package may include electrically coupling acommunicator to the inductive coil. The communicator may be configuredto communicate with an auxiliary electronic device. Further, the methodmay include wrapping the one or more tobacco-containing articles with aninner wrapper comprising a paper material.

In some embodiments the power producer may include a plurality of films.Movement between the films may produce the electrical current. Theoutput mechanism may comprise a light emitting diode, an electronic ink,a liquid crystal display, or an electrochromic display. The package mayinclude a logo and the output mechanism may be positioned at the logo.

Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set forth hereinwill come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosurepertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificaspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intendedto be included within the scope of the appended claims. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A product, comprising: a package, comprising:a power producer comprising a plurality of films, and wherein movementbetween the films is configured to produce an electrical current; and anoutput mechanism configured to receive the electrical current from thepower producer and output a perceptible effect; and one or moretobacco-containing articles received in the package.
 2. The product ofclaim 1, wherein the package further comprises a first body portiondefining an opening and a second body portion moveable with respect tothe first body portion between a closed configuration in which the firstbody portion substantially closes the opening and an open configuration,wherein the one or more tobacco-containing articles are received in thefirst body portion and accessible via the opening in the openconfiguration.
 3. The product of claim 2, wherein the output mechanismis configured to output the perceptible effect in response to movementof the second body portion relative to the first body portion.
 4. Theproduct of claim 1, wherein the output mechanism is selected from agroup consisting of a light emitting diode, an electronic ink, a liquidcrystal display, an electroluminescent material, a light emittingelectrochemical cell, and an electrochromic display.
 5. The product ofclaim 1, wherein the package comprises a logo, and wherein the outputmechanism is positioned at the logo.
 6. The product of claim 1, whereinthe output mechanism comprises an electrochromic display, theelectrochromic display being configured to change color or shade in apattern.
 7. The product of claim 2, wherein the plurality of filmscomprises a first film and a second film, wherein the movement betweenthe films comprises the first film and the second film being configuredto contact and release from one another to produce the electricalcurrent.
 8. The product of claim 7, wherein the package comprises aninner frame configured to provide the package with additional support,the first film being coupled to the inner frame and the second filmbeing coupled to the second body portion, such that in the closedconfiguration the first film contacts the second film and in the openconfiguration the first film releases from the second film to producethe electrical current.
 9. The product of claim 7, wherein one of thefirst film and the second film is charged.
 10. The product of claim 1,wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and a second film,wherein the movement between the films comprises the first film and thesecond film being configured to contact and release from one another toproduce the electrical current.
 11. A method for assembling a product,comprising: providing a package, comprising: a power producer comprisinga plurality of films, and wherein movement between the films isconfigured to produce an electrical current; and an output mechanismconfigured to receive the electrical current from the power producer andoutput a perceptible effect; and inserting one or moretobacco-containing articles into the package.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein providing the package comprises providing a first bodyportion defining an opening and a second body portion moveable withrespect to the first body portion between a closed configuration inwhich the first body portion substantially closes the opening and anopen configuration, and wherein inserting one or more tobacco-containingarticles into the package comprises inserting the one or moretobacco-containing articles into the first body portion.
 13. The methodof claim 11, wherein the output mechanism comprises a light emittingdiode, an electronic ink, a liquid crystal display, or an electrochromicdisplay.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the package comprises alogo and the output mechanism is positioned at the logo.
 15. The methodof claim 12, wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and asecond film, wherein the movement between the films comprises the firstfilm and the second film being configured to contact and release fromone another to produce the electrical current.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein providing the package comprises providing an inner frameconfigured to provide the package with additional support, the firstfilm being coupled to the inner frame and the second film being coupledto the second body portion, such that in the closed configuration thefirst film contacts the second film and in the open configuration thefirst film releases from the second film to produce the electricalcurrent.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein one of the first film andthe second film is charged.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein theplurality of films comprises a first film and a second film, wherein themovement between the films comprises the first film and the second filmbeing configured to contact and release from one another to produce theelectrical current.